HOPE CHURCH CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE December 24, 2015 ~ 11:00 PM

PRELUDE Selections from Variations on a Noel Marcel Dupre

CALL TO WORSHIP Rejoice! Emmanuel! Arr. Schoenfeld O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. O come, O come, Emmanuel!

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 “The days are surely coming,” says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made.” The LORD shall execute justice and righteousness in the land, for the LORD is our righteousness. from Jeremiah 33 the first Advent candle is lit By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us; to give light to those in darkness and to guide our feet in the way of peace. from Luke 1 the second Advent candle is lit God will rejoice over you in gladness, and renew you in God’s love. Sing aloud, rejoice and exult with all your heart! from Zephaniah 3 My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. from Luke 1 the third Advent candle is lit Surely God is my salvation. I will trust in God and not be afraid, for the LORD is my strength. Sing praises to the LORD, for God has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth; shout aloud and sing for joy. from Isaiah 12 the fourth Advent candle is lit

God’s promised One shall feed God’s flock in the strength of the LORD, for this shall be the One of Peace. from Micah 5 the Christ candle is lit Shout aloud and sing for joy. Let God’s praise be known in all the earth. from Isaiah 12 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN Purple #133 O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES

*PRAYER OF ADORATION Gracious God, your angels broke into the midnight of a sleeping world to sing the news that Christ was born in Bethlehem. Source of all Illumination, we celebrate this night the coming of your Word made flesh, your Light of life to dwell among us. Break into the midnight of our dark world and stir our hearts to hear again the message of your love. In the stillness of this midnight hour, touch our understanding with your Holy Spirit, that we may know again the wonder of your redeeming love in Jesus Christ.

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 9:2-7 CAROL Purple #129 Lo, How as Rose E’er Blooming ES IST EIN’ ROS’

SECOND LESSON Luke 2:1-7 CAROL Purple #110 Love Has Come BRING A TORCH

THIRD LESSON Luke 2:8-14 CAROL Purple #113 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA

FOURTH LESSON Luke 2:15-20 Gesu Bambino Carillon Choir Douglas Wagner

FIFTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-6 CAROL Purple #145 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

SIXTH LESSON John 1:1-14 CAROL Purple #122 Silent Night ST. LOUIS

PRAYER OF PRAISE AND PETITION All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Alleluia! Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Alleluia! O Christ, splendor of God’s eternal glory, the mighty Word, sustaining the universe: renew our lives by your presence. O Christ, born into the world in the fullness of time for the liberation of all creation: release all into your promised freedom. O Christ, begotten of the Father before all time, born in a stable at Bethlehem: may your church be a sign of hope and joy. O Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, child of wonder and splendor, mighty God of all ages, Prince of Peace: may the whole world live in peace and justice. All-powerful and ever-present God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Renew our hope, that we may receive the fullness of your grace and live in the truth of Christ our Lord. Amen. OFFERING OF GIFTS designated for La Pouponniére, an orphanage located in Dakar, Senegal, and for the Warm Hold Association, serving children in Vietnam with HIV/AIDS Offertory Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella French carol arr. Robert Hobby Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella. Bring a torch, come swiftly and run. Christ is born, tell the folk of the village Jesus is sleeping in His cradle. Ah, ah, beautiful is the Mother. Ah, ah, beautiful is her Son.

It is wrong when the Child is sleeping. It is wrong to talk so loud Silence all, as you gather around lest your noise should waken Jesus. Hush! Hush! See how fast He slumbers. Hush! Hush! See how fast He sleeps.

Softly to the little stable, softly for a moment come. Look and see how charming is Jesus. How He is still, his eyelids closing. Hush! Hush! See how the Child is sleeping. Hush! Hush! See how He smiles in his dreams. *Christmas Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH We praise the Son of lowly birth, whose light shone out on all the earth; we praise our Maker’s loving care, for Spirit-birth our hearts prepare. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication

HOLY COMMUNION In preparation for this holy feast of God, let us share with each other the peace of Christ. The peace of the Christ child be with you.

And also with you. after passing the peace, the people are seated The Lord be with you. and also with you. Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks to our God. It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, singing, “Glory to you in the highest heaven and peace on earth!” You created light out of darkness and brought forth life on the earth… the prayer continues …and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name: people singing: Sanctus PICARDY Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, God of power, God of might. Heav’n and earth are full of your glory: glory be to you on high! High Hosanna! Blessed is the One that in your name comes, O Lord. silence You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Born helpless and in humility, he showed the power of your love and the wealth of your grace. In his life, death, and resurrection he delivered us from sin and death. Praise to you, Lord Jesus: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory. the prayer continues Words of Institution

THE COMMUNION To be served communion, please come forward as guided by the ushers, exiting on your left, and returning on your right. You will be invited to take the bread and dip it in the cup. Feel free to pause and reflect for a moment after receiving the elements. The Reformed Church in America welcomes baptized children to receive the sacrament of communion. Hope Church encourages parents to decide whether they wish their children to participate in the sacrament. Parents are asked to accompany their children forward, indicating if they wish their children to receive the bread and the cup. Those who wish to celebrate the sacrament, but are unable to come forward, are invited to inform an usher in order to be served in their seat. 5

Music during the communion:

A Fragrant Rose is Growing Henry Kihlken

A fragrant Rose is growing from out a parent root; Of Prophet old foreshowing, of Jesse’s seed, the fruit. It’s crimson bloom unveils to light amid the frozen winter, And in the deepest night.

This tender rose I’m singing is Christ, eternal Lord From out a sweet root springing Incarnate, living Word. For through the Father’s grace and might, this Child that Mary bears us Shall redeem the world from night.

Variations on Greensleves James Woodman

*HYMN OF THANKSGIVING Hark! The Herald Angels Sing MENDELSSOHN During the singing of this hymn you are invited to leave the sanctuary, either through the 11th Street doors or through the Gathering Area, and gather by the stable at the parking lot entrance to the church for the conclusion of the service. Bring your candles and choir members will help you light them outside at the stable.

Please use all doors for exiting so that we can quickly gather outside.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, offspring of the virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased in flesh with us to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

*CAROL Go, Tell It on the Mountain GO TELL IT

refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. refrain: The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth, rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. refrain: Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn! refrain: *BENEDICTION *CAROL Joy to the World ANTIOCH Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.

Participating in the service: Pastor Gordon Wiersma; Pastor Jill Russell; Griffin Baer, Martha DenHerder, Ian McKnight, Benjamin Stryker, readers; Rhonda Edgington, associate director of music and organist.

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